I started writing something but then I got interrupted by Livia. And by two gerbils on my desk, one spinning in a wheel. And by the dog who basically wants to eat the gerbils. Heck, even the sun shining while it’s pouring rain outside—always a strange phenomenon—has interrupted me.

So here you go, friends, gerbil pics.

I’ll admit this much, Vice (light orangish-brown) and Whiskers (white) are darn cute. And Livia is a really good caretaker.

Happy early birthday, Liv! That was some surprise, wasn’t it?!!